Growing Through Trials

“Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.”

“The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She’d barely said “hello” when “ssssopp!” Chippie got sucked in.”

“The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie — still alive, but stunned.”

“Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.”

“Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.”

“A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d initially written about the event contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering. “Well,” she replied, “Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore — he just sits and stares.”

The story from Max Lucado’s book, “In The Eye of the Storm,” while it contains an element of humor, also offers a stark reminder of how quickly our lives can change.

“One minute you’re seated in familiar territory with a song on your lips, then…the pink slip comes. The rejection letter arrives. The doctor calls. The divorce papers are delivered. The check bounces. A policeman knocks at your door.”

Wait, you may be thinking, I thought this going to be an encouraging post on growth? On overcoming problems? Of facing trouble? Of dealing with trials? Well, hopefully it is. But for us to grow through trials, the trials must come.

Here’s how trials can help us grow.

#1 Accept that trials are a part of life.

Jesus promised His followers that they would suffer trouble and trials in this life (Jn. 16:33). James echoed the same sentiment when he wrote, “whenever you face trials.” Not IF. But WHEN.

Some trials are just the normal demands of daily living. Dealing with and balancing the challenges of work, family, financial obligations, social interactions, and physical, mental and emotional stress.

Other times we experience trials that test our faith. Trials that raise questions. Foment fear. Or allow doubt to creep in. Like Peter, walking on the water, before he began to sink.

But also like Peter we may suffer the sting of failure. Weakness. Cowardice. And denial. However, like the apostle, we can even grow stronger as we face those trials. Pick ourselves up. And begin again.

God doesn’t exempt His children from facing hardship, sorrow, sickness, pain, disappointment, failure, and grief.

#2 Growth through trials depends on our attitude.

We’ve all witnessed people who faced similar situations that produced stress, adversity and even disaster. Yet, some people get better, while others grow bitter. Some grow stronger, while others become weaker. Some increase in faith, while others find their faith faltering.

What’s the difference?

One word. Attitude.

How we see trials and our outlook toward them will determine our growth or lack thereof. James offers this insight and admonition.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, or you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”(Jas. 1:2-4)

Trials can produce patience. Endurance. And steadfastness. They can help us grow. Get stronger. Become better. Develop deeper faith.

Remember this, as John Maxwell expressed it, “It’s one short step from ‘why me’ to ‘woe is me.’”

#3 Look for Lessons to Learn through Trials.

Trials will only make us stronger when we decide to see them as opportunities for growth, instead of excuses to quit. Life’s troubles and trials are inescapable. Learning from them, however, is optional.

Trials may deepen our dependance on God, bring us closer to our physical family, or heighten our fellowship with our spiritual family. They may also humble us, sharpen our character, and smooth out the rough edges of our personality.

Trials may help us grow in giftedness, improve our skills and develop new talents. Problems can produce a creativity that we didn’t know we possessed. As Neale Donald Wash said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Your perseverance through trial may even be the source to help others grow and serve as an encouragement for them to remain faithful.

Know this: God cares about your trials (1 Pet. 5:7). Through faith, prayer, and persistence He will help us overcome and experience victory in the midst of trial (Phil. 3:13; 1 Cor. 15:57).

Finally, as one anonymous author wrote, “In adversity we usually want God to do a removing job when He wants to do an improving job. To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the storm.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman